JawbreakerDear You (Blackball)By: Cam LindsayNine years ago Jawbreaker was in a position to capitalize on the rising popularity in the punk scene thanks to Green Day and The Offspring. After signing to DGC, they released what would eventually be hailed as their masterpiece, only to see it become criminally overlooked and deleted by the label fatcats. Well, justice has finally been served, as drummer Adam Pfahler was able to buy back the album and re-issue it on his own label with five bonus tracks and the video to "Fireman". Dear You is quite simply one of the most influential punk albums of the 1990s. Along with Weezer's debut and Sunny Day Real Estate's Diary, it is one of the foundations of emo, whether people like to admit it or not. Produced by Rob Cavallo and mixed by Jerry Finn and Jawbox's J. Robbins, the record surpasses even its predecessor, the powerful 24 Hour Revenge Therapy. Blake Schwarzenbach has a voice unlike any other, fully capable of harmonizing without the wimpiness, while maintaining a scruffy edge that is more hardcore than pop. Of course, it's his lyrics that expel the most influence, working as an emotive outlet that so many have copied since. Songs like "I Love You So Much It's Killing Us Both" and "Chemistry" are blueprints that should have been patented, for he would have made millions from bands like Blink-182 and Jimmy Eat World. Dear You is a must-own for anyone fond of white belts and wearing their heart pinned to their Braid tee.